Diversity of biocrust-forming cyanobacteria in a semiarid gypsiferous site from Central Spain

Cyanobacteria are a key constituent of biocrusts, communities dominated by lichens, mosses and associated microorganisms, which are prevalent in drylands worldwide and that largely determine their functioning. Despite their importance, there are large gaps in our knowledge of the composition and div...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of arid environments 2018-04, Vol.151, p.83-89
Main Authors: Cano-Díaz, Concha, Mateo, Pilar, Muñoz-Martín, M. Ángeles, Maestre, Fernando T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
16S rRNA
arid lands
Biocrust
Biological soil crust
Cyanobacterial diversity
dry environmental conditions
ecosystems
genes
genetic analysis
grasslands
lichens
Mediterranean region
Microcoleus
morphs
mosses and liverworts
nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria
Nostoc
phylotype
ribosomal RNA
Scytonema
Soil cyanobacteria
Spain
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Summary:Cyanobacteria are a key constituent of biocrusts, communities dominated by lichens, mosses and associated microorganisms, which are prevalent in drylands worldwide and that largely determine their functioning. Despite their importance, there are large gaps in our knowledge of the composition and diversity of cyanobacteria associated with biocrusts, particularly in areas such as the Mediterranean Basin. We studied the diversity of these cyanobacteria in a gypsiferous grassland from Central Spain using both morphological identification after cultivation and genetic analyses with the 16 S rRNA gene. Nine different morphotypes were observed, eight corresponding to filamentous, and one to unicellular cyanobacteria. We found cyanobacterial genera typical of biocrust communities, such as Microcoleus and Trichocoleus, and N-fixing cyanobacteria such as Scytonema and Nostoc. Genetic information allowed us to identify cultures belonging to recently described genera such as Roholtiella, Nodosilinea and Mojavia. We also describe two new phylotypes of Microcoleus and Scytonema, which are key genera contributing to ecosystem functioning in biocrust-dominated ecosystems worldwide. •Polyphasic approach allowed characterization of cyanobacteria in Central Spain.•Nine cyanobacterial morphotypes were observed.•The first record of Mojavia in Europe is provided.•Two new phylotypes of Microcoleus and Scytonema were reported.
ISSN:0140-1963
1095-922X
DOI:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2017.11.008